STANFORD, Calif. » Bring on the Crimson Tide!

The Hawaii softball team continued its record-setting season yesterday, hitting five home runs en route to a 7-1 victory over Texas Tech to win the Stanford regional of the NCAA tournament. The Rainbow Wahine advance to the Tuscaloosa Super Regional against top-seeded Alabama next weekend.

It's the second time in school history Hawaii has advanced to the super regionals. The Rainbow Wahine lost two of three at Tennessee in 2007.

“;It's been one of our goals from Day 1 to just make it this far,”; Jenna Rodriguez said. “;We set our standards really high and we have really high expectations.”;

Added Kelly Majam, “;Super regionals is good. But we also want to win it.”;

Yesterday, Hawaii allowed a run in the top of the first to fall behind for the first time all weekend. That didn't last long. Majam led off the bottom of the first with a home run to left-center, her 29th of the season, tied with Jennifer Yee of Georgia Tech for most in Division I.

“;We were behind, so it was important that we made a statement and got back that run,”; Majam said. “;I try every game to start off with a hit. I don't look to hit home runs, I'm just looking to get on base and do my job. When they come, they come.”;

The game felt over even though the score was 1-1. Texas Tech starter Karli Merlich was called for an illegal pitch, so coach Shanon Hays went to Ashley Brokeshoulder, an off-speed specialist who had pitched well on Saturday in six innings of relief against Stanford. Brokeshoulder escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first, then allowed a solo homer to No. 9 hitter Traci Yoshikawa in the second. It was Yoshikawa's 10th of the season, giving the Rainbow Wahine eight players with 10 or more home runs.

In the third, Hawaii (47-13) figured out Brokeshoulder. Melissa Gonzalez and J-Rod hit back-to-back solo shots. One out later, Kanani Pu'u-Warren nearly hit one out, bashing the ball off of the top of the fence in right-center field. The ball bounced back into play, however, and Pu'u-Warren had to settle for a triple.

“;Any mistake you make, they're just going to hit it over,”; Brokeshoulder said. “;You have to be really careful. And just keep your composure. You're not the only person who gave up a home run. For a couple of innings, I felt good. But then they adjusted, you could tell by their stance, and on the mistakes I threw, they took care of them.”;

Pu'u-Warren's drive ended Brokeshoulder's afternoon, and she was replaced by Ashly Jacobs, Texas Tech's No. 1 pitcher. Jacobs got out of the inning with no further damage, but she experienced Hawaii's power in the sixth. Katie Grimes launched a ball over the fence in left field, over the hedge that runs 40 feet behind the fence and over the building behind the hedge. Observers estimated it traveled at least 280 feet.

The five home runs tied a record for an NCAA tournament game.

Rodriguez added a two-run single for the final margin.

All that was left was the celebrating, much of which centered on Majam, who celebrated her 20th birthday yesterday. After the final out, she crawled through a gauntlet of teammates, who lined up down the third-base line and spanked her as she scrambled between each of their legs. When she came to the interview room later, she had a balloon as well.

As for next weekend, Majam is ready for Alabama.

“;They're good,”; the birthday girl said. “;But we'll beat 'em.”;